Published: 19/12/2025 · Last Updated: 19/12/2025

Advanced Learner Loan bulletin - December 2025

January performance management review point

The second and final performance management point for academic year (AY) 2025/26 is approaching and the review date is 15 January. You'll need to use at least 90% of your loan facility to automatically be in scope for consideration of a growth award.

If you need growth but haven't reached the 90%, please encourage new learners to apply for their loan as soon as possible. Once approved, applications become scheduled and are part of your loan facility usage figure.

If you don't meet the criteria set out in the funding rules but need growth, you should contact your DfE provider facing team lead. You should also complete the exceptional case template which will be available from 5 January. Please return completed forms by Monday 13 January

You can track your facility usage with the Loan Facility Details report. This is available in the Financials Home section of the Learning Provider Portal.

Due to the tight deadline following the winter break, please make this a priority if you plan to be in scope for growth.

OfS consultation

The Office for Students (OfS) has opened a consultation on proposals to change how they regulate further education (FE) colleges in England.

The proposal focuses on exempting FE colleges from certain conditions of initial and ongoing registration and removes the need for colleges to submit an access statement. Colleges would still need to provide an access plan which is a requirement of approved (fee cap) status. The proposal would end OfS oversight of finances and governance for colleges, unless they hold or seek degree awarding powers.

Other provider types would not be in scope for the proposals and would be subject to the fuller set of conditions of registration.

The consultation is open until 10 February 2026.

Loan Position Report reminder

In last month's bulletin we informed you that we'd be removing the Loan Position Report from the LP Portal on 15 December. Please use the Payment Instalment Report to track pre-approved applications, outstanding actions on approved applications and payments made and scheduled over the academic year.

Partners Support Desk

Our Partners Support Desk is here to help you with any day to day operational questions about individual learners, application processing, payments and system issues.

You can contact the support desk on 0300 100 0643 or by emailing lpservices@slc.co.uk.